Rabbi Daniel Siegel – Head of Jewish Life

Mi Casa es Su Casa

This week’s parashah, VaYera, reveals a model of human character and sensibility which assumes heightened significance in light of recent world events.

Avraham opens his home and heart to strangers, sharing his family’s resources and living space with those who are weary and in need.

Making America Great Again from the perspective of our Avrahamic tradition, lies not in triumphalism and xenophobia, in which we close out the ‘other’ in that we can only see and provide for ourselves. Avraham’s actions of embracing humanity in extending his tent to include ‘others’, becomes for us a model of behaviour, and the means through which we realise the promise to this patriarch of our people, “Through your descendants shall all the nations of the world be blessed”.

In this same parashah, we encounter the opposing model, Sedom (Sodom). This city, the Rabbis tell us, is destroyed/destroys itself by making itself impregnable to anyone from the outside. Middat Sedom/the standard of Sedom, explains the Jewish tradition: “What is mine, is mine. What is yours, is yours”. Each must safeguard his/her own. In extending ourselves or our resources to another, middat Sedom contends, we weaken rather than strengthen ourselves.

“Stronger, together” and “Making America Great, Again”, we learn from Avraham, are two sides of the same coin. Or, as Mexicans would say (to Americans coming into their country): Mi Casa es Su Casa.

Rabbi Daniel Siegel

Yale Grunseit

Asha Lancaster

Our Year 11 students, Yael Grunseit and Asha Lancaster, wrote and presented the following Devar Torah during our High School prayers this week.

This week’s parashah discusses the destruction of the cities Sodom and Gomorrah, cities notorious for their wickedness.

When God informed Abraham of his intention to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham pleaded with God to save the cities for the sake of the righteous who might be living there. Only when God had promised him that if there were even ten righteous inhabitants in Sodom, He would save the entire city for their sake, did Abraham plead no more.

The attitude Abraham displayed, maintaining his belief in the good of humanity, is something we can learn from today. He was even willing to question God’s decision for the sake of just ten good people, proving his belief in the good of humanity to be exceedingly strong.  And just as Abraham followed without doubt what he believed in, we need to do the same.

On one hand, the American election could be a joyous occasion for some who feel that their strong faith in Donald Trump – despite his depiction in much of the media – has been satisfied as he achieves presidency. But for others, this is pretty devastating, and we may be feeling lost, unhopeful and disappointed in the American public and democracy.

BUT we must not lose hope and faith in what we believe in. Just like Abraham followed his beliefs demonstrated by him questioning God, we can also do so. Even if some of us are feeling defeated, there are things we can do to make sure we still follow our beliefs.

1. Talk to people! I know everyone’s probably sick of hearing about the elections but really it’s only been a few days. 

2. Educate yourself! Do some research, understand how the electoral system works, what Trump’s 100 day promise to the American people was and what Bernie Sanders would have done.

3. Even though it is probably the hardest thing to do in the world, try not to be a pessimist all the time and see the light in some situations that seem almost impossibly negative.

Overall, in this pivotal moment in history, it is important to understand that each individual opinion counts. It matters and we should all remain strong in our beliefs and not be afraid to show them off, just like Abraham. I mean unless you are wrong… NO, KIDDING.